Tuesday, January 16, 2007

OBITUARIES >> 01-17-07

John ByrdJohn H. Byrd, 73, of Beebe went to be with the Lord Jan. 14.

He was retired from ABF Trucking, a 32nd Degree Mason, member of the Eastern Star and a member of 16th Section Union Church.

He was a founding father of the Antioch Volunteer Fire Department and was an active volunteer in all community affairs.He was preceded in death by his wife, Patsy Delores Byrd; his daughter, Billie Gail and grandson Jeremiah Byrd.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Byrd; two daughters, Angie Sentell and Theresa A. Marx; one son, Billy F. Byrd; two stepchildren, David and Trudy; six grandchildren; five step-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two brothers, Rev. William A. and Dr. James E. Byrd; three sisters, Lela Mae Burtcher, Nellie Marie Rogers and Alice Jones; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17, at Westbrook Funeral Home with burial in Antioch Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Fritz of McRae; one daughter, Glori and husband Ritchie Mahoney of Beebe; two sons, Jimmy D. Jr. and wife Chris Fritz and Nicholas B. and wife Shannon Fritz of Wichita, Kan.; one step-daughter, Paula Putman of Beebe; also seven grandchildren, Emily and Adam Satterfield, Meghan and Grace Mahoney, Harley and Chevy Land, and Hailey Fritz; one great-grandchild, Blayne Noggle, and his beloved Little Bit.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Jan. 17 at Westbrook Funeral Home Chapel in Beebe with burial in Meadowbrook Memorial Garden.

She is survived by her parents, sister, brother, husband and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be announced later.

Funeral arrangements will be by North Little Rock Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

Gerald LandGerald Nick Land, 65, of Cabot passed away Jan. 10.

He was born on Aug. 12, 1941 in Little Rock to John Wesley Land and Pauline Hanson.

He loved his family very dearly. He loved to plant flowers, gardening and working outside. He spent his time being Santa Claus for everyone that he could, especially children with special needs. The gift he gave as Santa Claus was the message of Jesus. He was a member of Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church in Cabot where he served in several leadership positions.He was preceded in death by his father, John Wesley Land and a sister, Joan Land.

She was born April 25, 1933 to the late Ulysses and Eva Miller Wise in Savannah, Ga.

She was also preceded in death by her husband, Ross Dean Carter, and brother, Wilbur Wise.

She is survived by her daughter, Del Foster of Jacksonville; granddaughters, Jennifer Ann and husband Romon Finklea, Shannon Lynn, and Michelle Renee Bashaw all of Jacksonville; great-grandchildren Alexis, Shayla, Reece, Shianne and Tavion all of Jacksonville; sisters, Reta Barrow and Joyce Wise of Georgia, Betty Compton of South Carolina, Gladys and husband Paul Freeburn of Indiana, Yulee Butler of Texas, and Estelle Rogers of Georgia; brothers, David and Cecil Cribbs of Georgia; numerous nieces and nephews and a bountiful supply of loving friends.

Private services have been arranged by Moore’s Jacksonville Funeral Home.